Policy statement on native education in Alberta

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MAY131987'

POLICY STATEMENT
ON

NATIVE EDUCATION
IN

ALBERTA

March 1987

To the people of Alberta

The Government of Alberta is committed to ensuring
that all young Albertans receive an excellent education.
Our commitment is to encourage the continued
development of a culture that respects and cherishes
individuality and individual initiative. We want to
encourage competence, self-confidence, a sense of
responsibility and a determination to contribute to the
prosperity and the well-being of the Native community
and all Albertans. One way to meet this commitment is
through an education system which is designed to
respond to the needs of Alberta students, which
recognizes the importance of their cultural heritages,
and which helps them to grow, to learn, and to become
Alberta society.

This policy reflects an integrated approach to Native education in the delivery of
programs and the development of curriculum. It promotes a partnership among Native
people, school boards and Alberta Education to ensure that excellence is achieved.

The policy is a positive statement of this government's commitment toward ensuring
that Native children have the opportunity to benefit from an education which meets
their needs. The policy will also ensure that Native people, especially parents, have
an opportunity to help guide and shape the education of their children. Finally, the
policy will ensure that all students. Native and non-Native, have an opportunity to
learn about the history and contributions of Native people to Alberta.

On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I would like to express my deep
appreciation to the many Native people and various groups across the province who
contributed so significantly to the development of this policy. Their advice, their
suggestions, and their commitment to the education of their children were essential to
the development of an effective policy for Native education.

Alberta is leading the way in bringing Native people to work with school boards to
improve Native education. This policy provides an incentive which can be looked
upon with pride by all Albertans. As a provincial government we recognize and are
committed to fulfilling our leadership role. Together we can accomplish this task.

Yours sincerely.

Nancy J. Betkowski
Minister of Education

Foreword

Over 23,000 Native students attend
provincial schools. They represent
Metis, Non-Status, and Treaty Indians
with distinct histories, cultures, and
life-styles which contribute to the
educational challenge. These young
Albertans are proud of their Native
heritage, are self-confident and
motivated. They want to learn in order
to assume responsibility and make
positive contributions to society. They
need an education that builds on their
particular strengths and educational
achievements. These young Albertans
want an education that prepares them
to meet the challenges of the future.

In November 1984, the Honourable
David King, former Minister of
Education, established the Native
Education Project Team to develop

a Native Education Policy as a
foundation for improving the
delivery of quality education to
Native students and their
communities. The Project Team
was also established to co-ordinate
the development of educational
materials and resources suitable for
use by both Native and non-Native
students.

Dr. Ralph Sabey was appointed
Director of the Project. Other members
included Pearl Calahasen, Merv
Kowalchuk, and Bernie Makokis. In
March 1985, Marjorie Dressyman from
the Federal Department of Indian
Affairs joined the Project Team for
four months.

The Native Education Project Team
met with Native people throughout the

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province. The Team listened to the
people's concerns and views on the
current education of their children.
These views are reported in Native
Education in Alberta: Alberta Native
People's Views on Native Education,
1985.

The discussions with Native people,
the information gathered from 180
different meetings, and the letters, and
papers submitted have formed the basis
for Alberta Education's Native
Education Policy Statement.

The Native Education Policy
Statement complements other current
actions taken by the Government of
Alberta, such as the Secondary
Education Review, to provide each
student enrolled in a provincial school
with a high standard of education that
addresses his or her individual needs
and abilities. The Policy Statement also
complements initiatives taken to foster
tolerance and understanding between
peoples and pride in our multi-cultural
society.

The Native Education Policy
Statement presents a provincial

government response to the concerns of
Native people. The document outlines
the actions Alberta Education has taken
and will take to address the needs of
Native students and their communities.
These actions provide:

• ways in which the educational needs
and personal aspirations of Native
students can be met;

• opportunities for Native people to
help shape the education of their
children, and help young people
reach their potential;

• opportunities for all students in
schools throughout Alberta to develop
an awareness and appreciation of
Native cultures and their many
contributions to society.

This policy applies only to Provincial
schools and not to Band operated or
Federally administered schools located
on Indian reserves.

The Policy statement will be
discussed with Native people. The
results of these discussions will assist
in the development and delivery of
Native Education in Alberta.

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What is the Purpose of Native Education?

The aim of Native Education is to
develop the knowledge, the skills, and
the positive attitudes of Native students
so that they will be self-confident,
capable, and committed to setting goals
to making informed choices, and acting
in ways that will improve their own
lives, and the life of both Native and
non-Native communities throughout
Alberta.

• Alberta Education recognizes that
Native education must be attuned to
the diverse needs, cultures, and life-
styles of Native students so that they
can build on their self-esteem, and
gain a better understanding of
themselves through the study of their
own heritage and cultures.

• Alberta Education recognizes that
Native histories, cultures, and life-
styles must be included in the studies
taken by Alberta students, so that
they can benefit from the values and
lifestyles of Native cultures.

• Alberta Education recognizes that
conditions on the delivery of Native
education must be flexible enough to
meet the different needs of school
communities throughout the province.

• Alberta Education recognizes that
Native people must be involved in
school activities. They must have
opportunities to help guide and
influence the education of their
children.

• Alberta Education recognizes the
importance of partnerships, and
strong working relationships among
schools, Native people, and the
Alberta Government. Through
partnerships, the quality of education
provided to Native students in
Alberta schools can be enhanced.

Alberta Education, in partnership
with Native communities and school
boards, is committed to addressing and
taking action on the issues voiced by
Native people and educators. The
Government of Alberta proposes the
following policy for guiding Native
Education in Alberta.

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Policy

Alberta Education supports the
development and delivery of programs
and services which will:

• provide enhanced and equal
opportunities for Native students to
acquire the quality of education
traditional in Alberta;

• challenge Native students to learn
and perform to the best of their
abilities;

• provide opportunities for Native
students to study and experience their
own and other Native cultures and
lifestyles;

• provide opportunities for Native
people to help guide and shape the
education of their children;

• provide opportunities for students in
Alberta's schools to recognize and
appreciate Native cultures, and their
many contributions to our province
and society.

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What Will Be Taught in Schools?

Schools offering educational
opportunities to Native students must
strive to meet and enrich the students'
abilities, interests, and talents. Schools
must stress what is vital and important
in Native lifestyles to enhance the self-
esteem and motivation of Native
students.

It is essential that subjects taught to
Alberta students include aspects of
Native heritage, views, and values so
that Native and non-Native students can
reach a better understanding of each
other. Thus, Alberta students will better
appreciate the diversity and strength of
our multi-cultural society.

Alberta Education has already taken
action to improve studies for Native
students. In 1984, the Native Education
Project Team, Native organizations, and
Alberta school boards began to review,
develop, and make available through
Alberta Education classroom materials
used by students and teachers. These
materials accurately and vibrantly tell
about Native cultures and their many
contributions to society.

Alberta Education is committed to
guiding schools toward meeting the
particular and diverse needs of Native
students, and will:

• Continue to work with Native people
and school boards to develop
classroom materials that will
complement subjects taken by
students, and will encourage schools

to use them as basic and
recommended learning resources.

• Include and highlight aspects of
Native heritage, cultures, and life-
styles in the studies that are to be
taken by students in Alberta.

• Ensure that the programs offered and
that the materials developed for
students are consistent with new
directions taken by Alberta
Education, such as the Secondary
Education Review.

• Support the development and delivery
of extended Native studies for
students who wish to explore and
experience Native traditions and life-
styles.

• Assist school boards and Native
people to develop programs for the
teaching of Native languages.

• Encourage school boards to assist
those students who need special or
additional instruction in English as a
Second Language.

• Assist school boards and Native
people to develop and deliver
enrichment programs for exceptional
children including the gifted and the
talented.

• Assist school boards and the Native
community to develop and deliver
programs and services that will
address the needs of students in
isolated communities.

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How Can Native Education Best Be Delivered to
Native Students?

The delivery of Native education
must consider the cultures, lifestyles,
and special abilities of Native students
and the particular communities in which
they live.

Educators are models and mentors
for all students. Educators should be
aware of and understand just how their
students live and think so that they can
better assist them to reach their
potential. The participation of Native
home-school-community liaison workers,
Native school counsellors. Native
teachers and teacher aides, and Native
elders is an essential part of improving
the learning opportunities for Native
students.

Enrichment programs and technology
must be used to the best advantage so
that Native students living in isolated
Alberta communities receive the same
quality of educational opportunities

offered to students in other parts of the
province. School boards must be
responsive to the needs of their local
communities. School boards must settle
matters in a way that is appropriate for
local needs and for the educational
benefit of their students.

Alberta Education is committed to
guiding the delivery of education
towards meeting the educational needs
of Native students, and will:

• Alberta Education will support school
boards in the development and
delivery of programs and services
that will address the needs of Native
students and their communities
throughout the province.

• Provide help in the pre-service and
inservice of Alberta's teachers and
administrators to strengthen their
awareness of Native cultures and life-
styles so that they can better assist
Native students.

• Recognize that Native people viewed
by their community as fluent in a
Native language are qualified to offer
oral instruction in Native languages
under the general supervision of a
certified teacher.

• Encourage school boards to employ
and involve Native administrators,
teachers, teacher aides, and other
Native people in the education of
Native students.

• Provide assistance to school boards
for assessing and interpreting
accurately the standardized tests
written by Native students.

• Encourage the extension of programs
(for example, high school studies)
and services in isolated communities
through the use of technology and
through innovative programs which
enhance students' skills and abilities.

• Encourage school boards to meet the
unique needs of each school
community according to the current
provisions of the School Act.

• Where resources exist, provide
services for evaluating schools,
educational programs, and teachers
for permanent certification to Band-
operated schools when they request
such services through a Band Council
resolution.

• Encourage school boards to provide
services that enhance opportunities
for schools and Native communities
to work together, such as hot lunch
programs where appropriate.

Building Partnerships

Excellence in Native education can
be achieved through the sharing of
educational responsibilities, through
strong community partnerships that
involve Native people, school boards,
and the Alberta Government.

Native parents and community
members must accept responsibility for
representing the educational interests of
their young people. Schools offering
education to Native students must
accept responsibility for providing
educational opportunities that will meet
their individual needs, and for
providing them with particular
experiences that will foster a desire for
learning.

Alberta Education accepts
responsibility for providing leadership,
and for helping Native people and
schools throughout the province to
prepare Native students to succeed in
meeting the challenges of the future.

Alberta Education is committed to
fostering meaningful partnerships,
and will:

• Encourage and support opportunities
for Native people to participate in
decision-making that will affect the
education of Native students.

• Consult with Native people to ensure
that their views are considered at all
levels of decision-making on the
education of their children.

• Encourage and assist the development
of local school advisory councils.

• Encourage school boards to negotiate
the terms of tuition agreements with
Indian Band Councils.

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• Explore the possibility of Indian
Band representation on school boards.

• Where a tuition agreement exists,
provide School Foundation Program
Grants to school boards on behalf of
all Native students, including non-
Status students attending schools
administered by the Department of
Indian and Northern Affairs or Indian
Bands. These funds will not be
available on behalf of Treaty Indians
residing on reserves.

• Work with school boards.
Community and Alberta Vocational
Centers, colleges, and universities to
see that Native students who leave
school early, or who continue after
high school receive the best possible
opportunities to continue their
education.

• Encourage Community and Alberta
Vocational Centers, colleges,
universities, and Alberta Advanced
Education to provide training for
Native para-professionals (teacher
aides), and to provide training
through outreach studies and services
for Native professionals who would
not otherwise be able to develop
their skills.

• Through the Native Education Project
Team, continue to guide Native
education in the province, continue to
consult with Native people, and
continue to act on the concerns
expressed by Native people on the
education of their children.

Conclusion

The future of young people and the
future of this province are inseparable.
Together with Native people. Alberta
Education has made a commitment to
Native students to provide them with
enhanced opportunities to learn, to
grow, to succeed, to become confident
and responsible Albertans proud of
their Native heritage.

Alberta Education will continue to
help Native people and school boards
throughout the province to address the
challenges involved in preparing young
Albertans for the future.

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